Packing devices for stacked nested frangible articles



Jan. 8, 1957 TAMojrsU lToDA 2,776,772

PACKING DEVICES FOR STACKED NESTED FRANGIBLE ARTICLES Filed June 5, 1956 INVENTQR 72/0717/ fran BY A- @Mm A TORNEY UnitedStates Patent O PACKING DEVICES FOR STACKED NESTED FRANGIBLE ARTICLES Tamotsu Itoda, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya, Japan Application June 5, 1956, Serial No. 589,436

6 Claims. (Cl. 217-265) This invention relates to packing devices for `stacked nested frangible articles.

An object of the invention is to provide improved packing devices which, when stacked in nested relation, define receiving compartments for frangible articles in which such articles are retained separated and cushioned from earch other against damage or breakage during shipment and storage.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved packing devices of the character indicated, where the devices have interfitting portions which effect positive registry of the devices in a correctly stacked nested relation so as to define spaced compartments for receiving articles between adjacent packing devices.

Another yobject of the invention is to provide an improved packing device of the character indicated which is simple in design and construction and economical to produce.

Other objects of the invention will be set forth hereinafter, or will be apparent from the description and the drawings, in which is illustrated an embodiment exemplifying the invention.

The invention, however, is not intended to be restricted Ito any particular construction, or any particular arrangement of parts, or any particular yappli-cation of any such construction or arrangement of parts, or any specific method of operation or use, or any of the various `details thereof, even where specifically shown and described Iherein, as the same may be modified in various particulars, or may be applied in many varied relations, without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention, of which the exemplifying embodiment, herein shown and described, is intended only to be illustrative, and only for the purpose of complying with the requirements of the statutes for disclosure of an operative embodiment, but not to show all the various forms and modifications in which the invention might be embodied.

On the drawings, in which the same reference charac-v ters refer to the same parts throughout, and in which is disclosed such a practical construction,

Fig. l is a top plan View of a packing device embodying features of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a detail cross-sectional view of the structure shown in Fig. l, substantially Von the line 2-2 of Fig. l, showing the flange structure cut away to reveal structural details;

Fig. 3 is a detail cross-sectional view, substantially on the line 3-3 yof Fig. l, but showing the disposition at one of the corners when a number of packing devices are stacked in relative supporting relation and in a defined series; and

Fig. 4 is a detail cross-sectional View, taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. l, when a series `of packing devices are stacked as shown in Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawing in detail, packing devices may be of identical construction, and are intended to be stacked in nested relation (Figs. 3 and 4) to define a series of article-receiving compartments 12 for frangible 2 articles A, which, as in the illustrated embodiment, may be plates of conventional configuration.

Packing devices 10 may be molded as a single unit in a single operation, from fairly low grade cellulosic fibre, to have a soft, cushioning effect. Thus, usually coarse paper pulp may be utilized f-or this purpose. Each device may comprise a recessed or depressed part 14, which may be formed to be complementary to the configuration of plates A, and thus to define a platform to support a plate. The circular depressed p-art 14 may include a circular inner part 16 having a series of depressed circular portions 18 serving to strengthen tha-t inner part and to cushion a plate which may be positioned thereon.

Part 14 also may include spaced circular channels 20 and 22. Channel 20 may be so formed as to receive the peripheral depending rib 24 of a plate. nates in a peripheral rim 26 which likewise may follow the circular outline of the plate, and may be of convex cross-section. Rim 26 serves as an abutment for rim 28 of the plate.

Packing device 10 may have an overall square outline; at each of the edges there may be a depending flange 30= todefine an outer boundary of the device, and tol strengthen the structure. At diametrically opposite c-orners 32, portions 36 may be formed. At the other diametrically opposite corners, portions 34 may be formed.

Portions 36 and 38 have somewhat the same appearance, but actually are different in structure. For instance, portions 36 and 38 are formed to be complementary to each other, when interfitt-ed on stacking a series of packing devices one -on the other. Portions 36 are deeper than portions 38. Portions 36 and 3'8 aresymmetrically disposed with respect to the center ofthe packing device, and are equi-spaced at the corners thereof.

At each portion 36, `the material of the device provides a vsubstantially planar surface 43. The device is formed from a sheet which is of substantially uniform thickness throughout. However, at the position of portions 36, the form changes from the planar form to provide a pair of legs 4l) providing indentations or recesses 44 molded on each side of a meeting edge 42. That meeting edge, in the case 4of recesses 44, is approximately at the level of surface 43. Obviously, recesses 44 are provided by `the indentations which are associated in the projections of legs 4t). Each leg is of an inverted triangular pyramid configuration. At portions 38 `are provided companion legs 46. Legs 46 have inclined walls 48 of recesses 49 which come to a meeting edge 50. Meeting edge 50 does not rise to the level of surface 43 (Fig. 4).

When the devices are disposed one upon the other, as shown in Fig. 3, the corners bearing portions 36 of one device are positioned to cooperate with the portions 38 at the associated corners rof the devices below Iand above thatparticular device. Now when legs 46 extend down into the associated recesses 44, walls 48 of legs 46 will seat against walls 52 of recesses 44 as meeting edge 50 comes to rest upon meeting edge 42. Since walls 48 are shorter than walls 52, surface 43 of the device having portions 3 8 at that position will be lifted clear lof `the surface 43 of the device having the portions 36 at that position, as shown in Fig. 4.

Also, it is to be noted that the extent of recesses 49 where they open at surface 43 of their device is less than,

the opening of recesses 44 at their surface 43. Thus (Fig. 4) when legs 40 extend into recesses 49, Walls 54 of legs 40 will rest upon walls 56 of legs 46. Since the opening of recesses 49 is less than the extent `of legs 40,

those legs will not extend to the bottom of those recesses, so that the associated surface 43 of the device having the legs 40 (Fig. 4) will be elevated above the one having the recesses 49 at that corner.

Part 14 termi- Likewise, walls,

58-of'legs 40 rest upon walls 60 of recesses 49 in a stacked condition of the packing devices. t i f The portions 36 of one device are constructed so that they will interfit with the portions 38 of another packing device, when thevdevices are'stacked andturnedftohring the corners into the proper relationship# toeach` other' (-Figs. 3` and 4). Thus to stack the packingrdevices to provide for such interfitting, successive packing devices are rotated 90 with relation to the precedingy device so that the corners bearing portions 36 willfbe'bronght into association with the corners bearing portions 33 of the immediately adjacent device.

It will4 be` apparent that a seriesof packing devices may be stacked inA nestedl relation, with portions 36 of one packing device intertting with the portions 38 of the.

nextr adjacent packing devices. These interfitting portions insure positive registry ofV the stacked devices in position, and separate the devices a' predetermined distance for a cushioning compartment 12 in which a plate is received and allowed limited lateral andivertical movement, as apparent from Fig. 3. The articles or plates are separatedand cushioned from each other to afford maximum protection in shipment andstorage. The packing devices may have additional upstanding strengthening ribs 62- which` extend longitudinally between portions 36 and 38 adjacent fiangesfl. Each ofV portions 36 and-38 has ribs 64 extending therefrom to the channel 22 for strengtheningpurposes.

As shown in Fig. 3, the dish or plate A has its outer rim 28V located to engage against the wall provided by peripheral rim 26. The fiat or rim 28 rests upon the face part 14.

Many other changes could be effected in the particular constructions, and in the methods of use and construction, and in specific details thereof, hereinbefore set forth, without substantially departing from the invention intended.v to be defined herein, the specific description beingV merely of an embodiment capable of illustrating certain principles of the invention.

What is claimed as new and useful is:

l. A packing device for frangible articles, said device being of square configuration and comprising a depressed central part of circular outline, and first and second pairs of depending hollow leg portions disposed diametrically opposite each other outwardly of said central part atth-e corners of the square configuration, said first and second pairs being of different depths and structures complementarily to interfit with each other, said pairs providing means for stacking a series of packing devices in nested relation so that each packing device has said first and second pairs intertted with said second and first pairs, respectively, of an adjacent packing device wherein each packing device is rotated to said, interfitting relationV a quarter revolution with respect to an adjacent packing device, adjacent central parts` of each adjacent pair of stacked packing devices being formed complementary to the frangible articles to be .packed and defining between adjacent pairs a separate compartment for said frangible article. i Y l 2. YAY packing device, for frangible articles, said device beingof square configuration andcomprising a depressed central part of circular outline, and first and second pairs of depending hollow leg portions disposed diametrically opposite each other outwardly ot said central part at the corner of the square configuration, saidl first and second pairs being of difierent depths and structures complementarily to interiit with each other, said pairs providing means for stacking a series of packing devices in nested relation so that each. packing device has said first and second pairs intcrfittcd with said second and first pairs, respectively, of an adjacent packing device wherein each packing device is rotated to said interfitting relation a quarter revolution wtih respect to an adjacent packing dcvice, adjacent central partsl of each adjacent pair of stacked packing devices being` formed complementary to the frangible articles to be packed and being vertically spaceda predetermined. amount toA define. between. ad.- jacent pairs a separate compartment for said frangible article wherein the article may have limited lateral and vertical movement.

3. A packing device for frangible articles, said device being of square configuration and comprising a depressed central part of circular outline, and first and second pairs of depending hollow leg portions disposed diametrically opposite each other outwardly of saidcentral part at the corners of Vthe square configuration, said first and second pairs being of differentV depths and` structures complementarily to interfit with each other, said pairs providing means for stacking a series of packing devices in nested relation so that.x each` packingdevice has` said first and second pairs interfitted with said second and first pairs, respectively, of an adjacent packing device wherein each packing device is rotated to said interfitting relation a quarter revolution with respect to an adjacentv packing device, adjacent central parts of each adjacent pair of stacked packing devices being formed complementary to the frangible articles to be packed and defining between adjacent pairs'a separate compartment for said frangible article, one of said pairs comprising connected parts of inverted triangular pyramid configuration.

4. A packing device for frangible articles, said device being of square configuration and comprising a depressed central part of circular outline, and first and second pairs of depending hollow leg portions disposed diametrically` opposite each other outwardly of said central part at the corners` of, the square configuration, said first and second pairs being of diferentdepths and structures complementarily to interfit` with each other, said pairs providingmeans' for stacking'a series of packing devices in nested relation so that each packing device has saidtfirst and second pairs interlitted with said second and first pairs, respectively, ofian adjacent packing device wherein each packing. device is rotated to said interfitting relation a quarter; revolution with respect to an adjacentpacking device, adjacent central parts of each adjacent pair of stacked packing devices being formed complementary to the frangible articles to be packed and defining between adjacent pairs a separate compartment for said frangible article, said first and second pairs being equi-spaced and symmetrically disposed. with respect to the center of the device, one of` said pairs comprising connected parts of inverted triangular pyramid configuration, and the other of said pairscomprising connected parts formed complementary. to said first mentioned connected parts to interiit therewith.

5. A packing device for frangible articles, said device being of square configuration and comprising a depressed central part of circular outline, and first and second pairs Of depending hollow leg portions disposed diametrically opposite each other-outwardly of said central part at the corners ofthe square configuration, said first and second pairs being of different depths and structures complementarily to intert with each other, said pairsproviding meansfo stacking a series 0fl packing devices in nested relation so that each packing device has said first and second pairs interfitted with said second and first pairs, respectively, of an adjacent packing device wherein each packing device is rotated to said interfitting relation a i quarter revolution with respect to an adjacent packing device, adjacent central parts of each adjacent pair of stacked packing devices being formed complementary to the frangible articles to be packed and defining between adjacent pairs a separate compartment for said frangible article, said depressed central part having cushioning means forA the frangibleV article supported thereon, said cushioning means comprising a plurality of spaced circular channels` depressed outwardly of said central part in coaxial relation therewith.

6. A packing device for frangible articles, said device being of square configuration and comprising a depressed central part of circular outline, and first and second pairs of depending hollow leg portions disposed diametrically opposite each other outwardly of said central part at the corners of the square configuration, said rst and second pairs being of different depths yand structures complement-arily to intert with each other, said pairs providing means for stacking a series of packing devices in nested relation so that each packing device has said rst and second pairs interiitted with said second and rst pairs, respectively, of an adjacent packing device wherein each packing device is rotated to said interli-tting relation a quarter revolution with respect to 'an adjacent packing device, adjacent central parts of each adjacent pair of stacked packing devices being formed complementary to the frangible articles to be packed and defining be tween adjacent pairs a separate compartment for said frangible article, one of said pairs comprising connected parts of inverted triangular pyramid conguration, and the other of said pairs comprising connected parts formed complementary to said rst mentioned connected parts to inter-fit therewith, said depressed central part having cushioning means for the frangilble article supported thereon, said cushioning means comprising a plurality of spaced circular channels depressed outwardly of said central part in coaxial relation therewith. v

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 898,514 Shepard Sept. 15, 1908 1,908,940 Weidel May 16, 1933 2,236,675 De Reamer -..a Apr. 1, 1941 2,257,891 Stokes Oct. 7, 1941 2,611,946 Etten et al Sept. 30. 1952 

